Sunday, April 6, 2014

Blue Ridge Parkway: Rattlesnake Lodge

After yesterday's hike over in Great Smoky Mountains National Park we were itching to get out and do some more hiking. It turned out to be a warm day and so we decided to head over to Asheville to go for a stroll. Our destination would be Rattlesnake Lodge which lies just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Weaverville.

Th hike to the lodge ruins was relatively easy and, after a few switchbacks in the beginning and then a relatively flat trail, we found ourselves at the ruins of the lodge.The lodge was built by Dr. P. Chase Ambler as a summer retreat for his family. The lodge burned in 1926 and what remains are mainly just old walls and piles of stone.There are the remains of the pool,
the old springhouse,
and a rectangular flat area that was obviously the old tennis court. We spent some time exploring the ruins of the buildings
and the outflow of the spring for a bit.
There were a few early wildflowers in bloom, mostly bloodroot.
After exploring we retraced our steps back to the car.

No comments: